There are so many options to decorating for Halloween, it’s hard to pick just a few to incorporate. Last year I saw a ghost circle online and knew I had to give it a try. There were no instructions, however, so I was on my own as to how to make it. Luckily, I have a handy husband.

We bought wooden dowels and Styrofoam balls (these are quite expensive so if you can think of something else, use it). I took a trip to the thrift store for white sheets. I took the balls and inserted the dowel into each one (I had 4). Then I stuck them into the ground in the yard in a circle.

*This doesn’t work well with just 4, I recommend using at least 6.

I had one sheet for each ghost. Draping the sheets over the balls was easy enough, what was hard was figuring out how to keep them there while still having the ghostly effect. I ended up using sewing pins to keep the sheet attached to the balls. I took the corners of the sheets and tied them together to make it appear like the ghosts were holding hands. Now, if you get a sheet in the right size, it should appear that the ghosts are floating, meaning you can’t see the dowel sticking in the ground. Even with the sheets pinned on, they still blew around and even took the ball off the dowel on several occasions. And they weren't very weather friendly.

Definitely a few lessons learned with this experience. I love the concept, implementing it successfully is rather difficult though.

I have come across instructions for something of this nature and they used white trash bags stuffed with newspaper or leaves (this sounds like a much better and more cost effective idea). They tied twine or something similar around the neck of each ghost to keep it attached to the dowel. Tie the ends of the trash bags together and you have floating ghosts dancing in a circle. This year I will be using the white trash bag idea with 6 ghosts and placing them around the trunk of a big tree in my front yard.

My plans for today are putting together my Halloween notebook (a very rough one right now) and researching some homemade decorations. I absolutely cannot wait for Halloween this year. I'm in a different house so decorating will be different. I have many front porch steps that will be lots of fun to decorate i'm sure. I'll be back later with ideas!

* Please leave a comment as to what you're doing today on Great Pumpkin Day. :)

Friday, April 11, 2008

What better way to excite your party guests than to serve yummy Spider Web Dip with Spooky Tortilla Chips? I have yet to try this recipe, but I might just do it this GPD, it sounds delicious and looks so easy.

Like I said in another post, Halloween and Fall are my favorite. I usually go all out decorating and this year will be no exception. I'm in a different house so everything will be different. Here are some of the general things I want or need to get done throughout the year on Great Pumpkin Day.

Research decoration ideas

Supply list for decorations

Decorating plan

Decide on party or not?

Costumes

Treat bags

Make a Halloween notebook

Try new recipes for Halloween

Pumpkin carving patterns

Make a fabric Halloween countdown calendar

Each month I will pick things to put on my monthly list that I hope to accomplish and post it here. I will also share whatever craft ideas I plan to use and recipes I plan to try, as well as other things.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Halloween is my favorite holiday and Fall is my favorite season. I have at least 5 totes of decorations for the two combined. I'm always looking for fun new ways to decorate or decorations to add to my ever-growing collection.

This year, I plan to get a ton of those little pie pumpkins, two for each step leading to my front door. I'm not going to carve them all, but I may draw or paint on faces or use props to make them appear to be dressed up. There are many more options for pumpkins than carving! Every year I have at least 2 pumpkins dressed up, usually one is a witch and the other a pirate. I use sewing pins to hold the props in place.

Great Pumpkin Day is one day of the month, usually the 31st but some do it on the 13th, to prepare for the upcoming holiday of Halloween. Here's some ideas to get you started:

* Start a costume or just buy the needed supplies* Research decorations you might like and begin making your list of needed supplies* Try a new recipe that you might use at Halloween* Are you having a party? Start planning the games or activities.

Friday, April 4, 2008

I have started this blog to honor Great Pumpkin Day. I intend to share ideas, lists, plans, decorations, recipes, and anything else I can think of that has to do with Fall or Halloween. Great Pumpkin Day was originally started at Organized Christmas and then moved to Magical Holiday Home. Ginger from MHH plans to start a blog ring for Great Pumpkin Day blogs. Keep an eye on the sidebar for links to more excellent blogs devoted to Great Pumpkin Day!

About Me

Hi and thanks for stopping by. I love Fall and Halloween. This blog is dedicated to all things in that area. I am a happily married mother of 2 and with one on the way. I am also a full time college student and we are a military family!